Catlett’s Gap was one of several natural passes through Pigeon Mountain and Lookout Mountain that carried wartime wagon roads across the mountains and became important in the operations leading up to the Battle of Chickamauga. During the Confederate withdrawal from Chattanooga, Pigeon Mountain was recognized as a strategic second barrier against Federal forces coming over Lookout Mountain, and the gaps were prepared for defense. A wartime road ran through Catlett’s Gap from Cooper’s Gap off of Lookout Mountain on the west to the Catlett community in the Chestnut Flats area on the western side of Walker County. On September 8, 1863, Confederate cavalry from General William T. Martin’s command began blocking the gap with large rocks and felled trees, and on the following day infantry under General Patrick Cleburne from General Daniel H. Hill’s Corps strengthened the position with rifle pits and breastworks. The infantry stayed until September 17, when cavalry from Joseph Wheeler’s command relieved them, and the defenses were strong enough that Federal forces never breached the gaps during the campaign. On September 10, General Daniel H. Hill received orders from General Braxton Bragg for a joint movement with General Thomas Hindman against the Federals at Davis Crossroads, but Hill replied that the plan was impractical because Cleburne had overexerted himself and been sick in bed, his command was widely scattered, General S.A.M. Wood’s brigade was picketing Catlett’s, Dug, and Blue Bird Gaps, and the obstructions in Dug Gap would take hours to clear. Bragg accepted these reasons, ordered General Simon Buckner to move in defense of Hindman, and the planned attack on Davis Crossroads came to nothing. Catlett’s Gap was then occupied by Confederate division Major-General John C. Breckinridge, whose command moved from the gap and nearby Pigeon Mountain positions at daylight on September 18 to the east bank of the Chickamauga near Glass’s Mill, ending the campaign activities at Catlett’s Gap.

Photo: David Tibbs

Photo: David Tibbs

Photo: David Tibbs

Photo: David Tibbs